Late Bollywood art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai was honored with an emotional tribute during the Oscars’ ‘In Memoriam’ segment alongside renowned personalities such as Tina Turner, Matthew Perry, and others. The Oscars 2024 took place at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
During the poignant ‘In Memoriam’ segment, the audience was moved by a performance by Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli, who sang ‘Time to Say Goodbye.’ The Academy shared a video from the ceremony on Instagram, captioning it, “Andrea and Matteo Bocelli performing ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ 30th Anniversary Special Edition during the In Memoriam at the 2024 #Oscars.”
Apart from Nitin Desai, the segment paid tribute to several other notable figures from the global entertainment industry, including directors William Friedkin and Norman Jewison, and actors John Bailey, Robbie Robertson, Richard Lewis, Lee Sun-Kyun, Carl Weathers, Matthew Perry, Andre Braugher, among others.
Nitin Desai, celebrated for his innovative studio designs, had collaborated with renowned filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. His remarkable contributions were evident in films such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000), Lagaan (2002), Devdas (2003), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).
Desai’s remarkable talent was recognized with numerous accolades, including three Filmfare Awards for Best Art Direction and four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction.
His untimely demise on August 2, 2023, was a profound loss for the film industry. Industry stalwarts and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were among those who paid heartfelt tributes to Desai, acknowledging his immense contributions to Indian cinema. Desai was found deceased at his studio in Karjat, Maharashtra, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate within the film fraternity.
